Jim Lomuscio, 71

Jim Lomuscio, local journalist, educator, and author, of Weston, Connecticut, died peacefully in his home on January 8, 2026. He was 71.

Born in Brooklyn, Jim graduated Brooklyn Preparatory Academy and St. Francis College before commencing what would be a 50 year career in journalism by taking his first job as a reporter for L’Agenda, the English-Italian newspaper in New York. In 1981, Jim joined the staff of Fairpress in Fairfield and moved to Connecticut where he would spend the balance of life, meet his wife and raise a family.

As a freelance journalist, Jim’s writing appeared frequently on the pages of The New York Times, the Connecticut Post, and dozens of other newspapers and magazines. Jim’s reporting — whether he was interviewing ex-Presidents of the United States, notorious gang leaders, astronauts, or even a Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan — was always strictly objective and fair. His favorite subjects were the everymans, the common people of Fairfield County.

Jim served as Editor-in-Chief of the Westport News — where he guided the paper to General Excellence honors — then Westport Magazine, and finally of WestportNow.com. While his career as a journalist and editor garnered dozens of professional awards, it was witness to the decline of the industry as his employers were frequently sold, merged, or downsized. Jim often noted that while yes, the press was a business, it was not merely so, frequently noting that the press was the only business protected by the Constitution.

For decades, Jim taught journalism, English, literature, business writing, and a variety of other courses at Norwalk Community College and Western Connecticut State University. While he took pride in all of his students’ journalistic accomplishments, Jim was especially proud of the progress he saw in many of his non-native English speaking students as they integrated into life in America by learning how to write well.

Jim authored several textbooks on writing and journalism, but his lone non-fiction book, the local history Village of the Dammed: The Fight for Open Space and the Flooding of a Connecticut Town, the definitive history of Weston’s Valley Forge and Saugatuck Reservoir, was his favorite and garnered the most acclaim. He died in the midst of a book tour for the revised edition of the book on its 20^th anniversary.

Though many knew Jim by reputation from decades of reporting, Jim is remembered by those who met him as simply a good man. Jim was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, who genuinely put his family first. He cherished his relationships with his siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews, and everyone on his family tree. He was a loyal friend, who was always available to meet for a cup of coffee and a laugh. He was an honorable professor, who students leaned on for emotional support. And he was a graciously generous and giving man to all who needed his help. A devout Catholic, Jim prayed daily for every person in his life.

He is survived by his dear wife of 40 years, Christine Lomuscio (Duda), of Weston, his son James (wife Emily), of Pittsburgh, and daughter Meredith Odierna (husband Michael), his 10 beloved grandchildren (James Francis, Harold, Johnna, Rocco, Paul, Mary Ann, and Genevieve, Graham, Callahan, and Margaret, respectively), and his sisters Mary, and Florence, and five nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Richard and Helen of Eaton’s Neck, and his brother Richard of Shelter Island.